Over all these matters, and a great many more which we have not space to write about, the Board of Trade and Transportation watches faithfully and untiringly.
There was a meeting of the George Junior Republic Association the other day. Many interesting things were spoken of in regard to the settlement at Freeville.
You may not perhaps know what a wonderful association this Republic is.
The Junior Republic was started in 1890 by Mr. William R. George.
This kind-hearted man read a story in a newspaper, about a ragged boy in City Hall Park, eagerly watching a little yellow spot on the grass which he hoped was a dandelion. It told how, after a weary waiting until the policeman's back was turned, the boy dashed under the forbidden rail, stooped for the prize, only to find that it was a bit of orange peel.
Mr. George was touched by the story of the boy's disappointment; the more he thought of it, and of the longing of a city child for the trees and flowers of the country, the more he grieved that so many little ones never had a chance of seeing the green fields, and enjoying the wonders of Nature.
The result of it all was, that Mr. George collected twenty-two poor little ragged lads, and gave them a two weeks' outing at Freeville that summer.
From this beginning, the whole wonderful plan of the Republic shaped itself in his mind.
He thought that if he could get hold of the rough children of the streets, who have no kind parents to care for them, and use the summer holiday to influence them to good actions, he would be doing a great work for them.